How to Get Rid of Dry Skin on the Face

Dry skin on the face is one of the most common problems during winter. Some tips that will help in getting rid of this dryness are discussed in the article below.

Batul Nafisa Baxamusa

You wake up one morning and find the skin on your face all dry and flaky. You have a closer look and find dry patches too. Don't worry. This is very common when winter is just around the corner. Dry skin is a sign that the natural oils on your skin's surface have been completely used up. Your mind is full of different questions like, 'How to get rid of this dryness?', 'Are there any home remedies for it?' and the like. Stop, stop, stop, dear reader. There are answers for each and every question that you may have. Let's answer them one by one in the following paragraphs.

Causes

Apart from the dry winter climate, are there more causes of dry facial skin? Yes, sure there can be different causes. Some of these include poor hygiene habits, like avoiding washing your face every time you come home after a trip outdoors. Maybe you are super lazy and do not take off your makeup before going to bed. Dust, pollutants, chemicals in makeup all contribute to dryness. This, in turn, makes your skin irritated and itchy. You may even observe patches of dry skin in the areas you had applied makeup.

A poor diet may also be the culprit. If you do not eat a healthy, balanced diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, you are missing out on important vitamins and essential minerals. Vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E are very important to keep your skin healthy and glowing. They act as antioxidants that help fight harmful radicals that affect your skin.

Many women observe dry skin when they avoid using sunscreen lotions. The UV rays of the sun absorb the moisture in your skin and make it dull and dehydrated. Excessive use of makeup also causes your skin to react with the chemicals in them. This causes the skin to peel and form patches. Women who suffer from dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis or skin allergies are more prone to this.

Getting Rid of Dry Facial Skin

Never ever use soap if you have dry skin. Always use a gentle face wash, cleansing lotion or cleansing milk to clean your face. Make sure you use lukewarm water while rinsing it off, as hot water can dry the skin. Gently pat dry your face to avoid breaking the upper layer of the skin.

Use a good moisturizer even if you plan to stay home for the day. It is important to keep your skin moisturized all day long. Make it a habit to apply a night cream before going to bed. This will prevent your face from drying if you use a humidifier or air conditioner.

Never leave the house without applying sunscreen. Use one that contains SPF 15 to keep your face as well as other exposed parts of your body protected from the harmful UV rays. Make sure you wear a hat/scarf and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes. This will also help avoid the formation of nasty wrinkles.

Use makeup sparingly. Use products of reputed brands. Avoid using chemical makeup, instead go for mineral makeup as this does not make your face feel itchy and stretchy. Remember to clean your face with a cleaning lotion and then wash your face with a gentle face wash before you retire for the day. This will prevent the pores from getting clogged with the makeup you dabbed on. The skin will be able to breathe freely and remain moisturized.

A slight change in your diet can help make a huge difference. You should include milk, fruits, leafy vegetables, dry fruits, and nuts in your diet. Eat a lot of oranges, watermelons, spinach, carrots, etc. These foods contain vitamins that help keep your skin healthy and supple. Including salmon, tuna, etc. in your diet is also a good idea. They contain omega 3 fatty acids that help in retaining the lipid layer of skin. Avoid drinking more than 2 cups of coffee a day. It acts as a diuretic that sucks the moisture out of your skin.

The best way to avoid dry skin is to drink plenty of water. Consume at least 8 glasses of water a day. Water helps in flushing out harmful toxins and waste from the body and keeps the skin hydrated. This protects the body from free radicals that affect the skin.

Home Remedies

There are plenty of home remedies that are easy to use and are pocket-friendly too. You can apply mashed avocado on your face, leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash it off. This will help moisturize and hydrate your skin. It contains vitamin A and vitamin D that help protect the skin.

You can use cucumber juice as a natural astringent to keep your face fresh. It will not dry out your face like a commercial astringent. Rose water mixed with glycerin will help keep your face moisturized and prevent your face from looking oily. Mayonnaise can also help. All you need to do is apply mayonnaise on your face and keep it for about 15 to 20 minutes. Gently massage your face before rinsing. This will make your skin look soft, supple, and smooth.

You can mash a banana and a papaya or peach together. Mix well and apply this paste on your skin. Leave this mask on your face for 20 minutes and rinse off using warm water. Another home remedy is a honey mask. You need to mix half a teaspoon of honey with one tablespoon milk powder and an egg yolk. Apply the paste on your face. After 20 minutes, rinse your face and find your skin hydrated and soft.

Patches of dry skin can be cured by applying a paste of raw papaya as a mask. It helps get rid of dead skin cells.

Petroleum jelly is the best treatment for dry skin. Apply generous amounts on your skin before going to sleep. If you do not want your face to look sticky all day long, apply it, leave it for 10 minutes, then wash it off using a gentle cleansing milk. Apply your daily non-sticky moisturizer after this.

Your face is your identity and no one wants to have a dull, lifeless, dry identity. A bit of care will help your skin glow. So use any of these remedies and flaunt your fresh, supple skin!